Buying a game from a gif or still image only conveys a moment of atmosphere. It’s funny how I can get so mesmerized by a game’s aesthetic that I sometimes don’t even know the details of the game I’m buying. I’m more resistant to this

Buying a game from a gif or still image only conveys a moment of atmosphere. It’s funny how I can get so mesmerized by a game’s aesthetic that I sometimes don’t even know the details of the game I’m buying. I’m more resistant to this than I used to be, but** I looked at Cloudpunk and knew I would play that game even if it was just a screensaver.**

Cloudpunk’s art style hit me like one of those magic eye puzzles. Every time I was trying to focus on some small detail on the screen my eyes automatically pulled back to focus on the full picture. Hell, it took 15 minutes of flying around the city for me to realize Cloudpunk was using voxels for its models. It’s always gorgeous and calming, but a bit unsettling. Cloudpunk numbs me into complacency like a hazy dream I can’t escape because I’ve forgotten I’m not at home.

Once I forced myself to focus I could actually see the building blocks of how this beautiful world came together. Normally when I start looking for the seams in a game, it breaks the experience for me. However, seeing the tiny models and attention to detail in the shadowy corners of this cohesive cityscape only made me appreciate the brilliance of its simplicity. I was in awe of the vast illusion of scope to Cloudpunk’s universe and its inhabitants.

I knew I would be flying a car through a cyberpunk city and that I would be captivated. I just didn’t know I would be absorbed to this extent. Eventually, I snapped out of my dream because Cloudpunk’s next unexpected trick was to make me get out of my car and actually care about my character. It’s rare to enjoy feeling alone in a game world and simultaneously want to change it into a better place for your character. I did not expect to care, Cloudpunk.

Cloudpunk was developed by ION Lands. It is out now on Steam and coming to consoles later this year

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Xbox and Ubisoft get handed a dictionary. Justin starts caring about the entire Gears universe at once. Ryan finds a way to talk about golf in every segment. JB nods approval for FF7 Remake. Plus, victory feels better than defeat.

Xbox and Ubisoft get handed a dictionary. Justin starts caring about the entire Gears universe at once. Ryan finds a way to talk about golf in every segment. JB nods approval for FF7 Remake. Plus, victory feels better than defeat.

Where was video games when Horrible Night launched 10 years ago? Ryan finally says something nice about Fortnite. Justin gets broken by Sea of Thieves, again. Plus, how can all the Personas be the best Persona?

Show

Where was video games when Horrible Night launched 10 years ago? Ryan finally says something nice about Fortnite. Justin gets broken by Sea of Thieves, again. Plus, how can all the Personas be the best Persona?

Competitive games can break more than your spirit. Justin is reeling about the Doom Eternal soundtrack mix. Ryan will get max golf stats. JB isn’t sure if he’s played Remnant yet after two sessions. Plus, Final Fantasy 7 rejuvenation.

Competitive games can break more than your spirit. Justin is reeling about the Doom Eternal soundtrack mix. Ryan will get max golf stats. JB isn’t sure if he’s played Remnant yet after two sessions. Plus, Final Fantasy 7 rejuvenation.

It was never supposed to happen. We were never meant to play this remake. But here we are. Justin appreciates gross new influential marketing tactics. Ryan is about to get the keeper training of his life. Plus, not the worst Bunny Day.

It was never supposed to happen. We were never meant to play this remake. But here we are. Justin appreciates gross new influential marketing tactics. Ryan is about to get the keeper training of his life. Plus, not the worst Bunny Day.

After thousands of hours of Rocket League combined, the team is finally ready to join a rec league. Justin, Ryan, and JB check in to see how everyone is doing before video games. The real Animal Crossing villains, how do you do Doom, and living in VR.

After thousands of hours of Rocket League combined, the team is finally ready to join a rec league. Justin, Ryan, and JB check in to see how everyone is doing before video games. The real Animal Crossing villains, how do you do Doom, and living in VR.

Show Features

Game Time: Cities: Skylines / Ori and the Will of the Wisps / DOOM Eternal / Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Game Chumps

Animal Crossing Critics

Gamestop is not essential

Feature: Going Rec League

Game Champs

Video games for everyone

Racing Esports

VR in a pandemic

Hypetrain

Doom Eternal / Bloodborne / Gears Tactics / FF7 Remake

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When Ori and the Blind Forest was released five years ago, I missed it at launch. I had chosen to go in the direction of a different Metroidvania, Axiom Verge, and became hooked. I had to 100% that game no matter what and I did. I also was fresh off

When Ori and the Blind Forest was released five years ago, I missed it at launch. I had chosen to go in the direction of a different Metroidvania, Axiom Verge, and became hooked. I had to 100% that game no matter what and I did. I also was fresh off of putting a large amount of time into Dragon Age: Inquisition. While I enjoyed my time with both of these games, I realized later that I was using the games to escape the reality I was facing on the home front.

In the Spring of 2015, my wife and I decided to get divorced. It was an emotionally tumultuous time for sure. I had used video games to delay the inevitable conversation about the changes we both wanted to make in our relationship. Gaming continued to be there for me in the wake that was left behind. I’m forever grateful for the fact that I was able to turn to playing video games when I couldn’t handle being around or talking to another human being.

During the mourning period post decision, I found Ori and the Blind Forest. Having passed it up initially and with new found free time on my hands, I was fully committed to the world that Ori inhabited. I played it nightly. I listened to the soundtrack at work with tears in my eyes. There was a sadness in the game and soundtrack that echoed my feelings at the time. I finished the game and immediately restarted it. I can’t think of another title I have ever done that with. Then I finished it again. It was a perfect game at the perfect time for me.

Ori helped me in ways I would have laughed at if someone was to talk to me about it the year before. I know other people love it for the reasons they do and I can appreciate all of those as well. For me, it meant something more.

It has been five years since Ori and the Blind Forest was released and the sequel comes out 5 years to the day the original was released. This is my most anticipated game in 2020. Hell, it has been one of my most anticipated games since it was announced. I’m in such a better place emotionally than I was 5 years ago and I wonder how Ori and the Will of the Wisps will echo how I’m feeling now.

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Let’s celebrate one of the greatest consoles of all time, the PS2. Justin only has one source for video game dog pets. Ryan falls for the Ghost of Tsushima story trailer. Plus, maybe seeing behind the scenes of God of War isn’t a good thing.

Let’s celebrate one of the greatest consoles of all time, the PS2. Justin only has one source for video game dog pets. Ryan falls for the Ghost of Tsushima story trailer. Plus, maybe seeing behind the scenes of God of War isn’t a good thing.

With one major event cancelled and another that should be, maybe it’s time to reconsider the whole of the game industry’s schedule. Justin is headed to Baldur’s Gate. Ryan has never raced like this before. Plus, just... call timeout.

With one major event cancelled and another that should be, maybe it’s time to reconsider the whole of the game industry’s schedule. Justin is headed to Baldur’s Gate. Ryan has never raced like this before. Plus, just... call timeout.

F1 2019 / The Division 2: Warlords of New York / Ori and the Will of the Wisps

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There will definitely be games to play when the next generation of consoles launch. Justin doesn’t want to lose an island twice to Nintendo. Ryan opens up his GTA racing. Plus, co-op games are hard solo.

There will definitely be games to play when the next generation of consoles launch. Justin doesn’t want to lose an island twice to Nintendo. Ryan opens up his GTA racing. Plus, co-op games are hard solo.

Ubisoft had some big news for Clance fans of the Big Apple last week. Ryan is honestly still recovering, but FF VII didn’t help. Justin wants to play every version of Dead Cells ever. Plus, every single person is still golfing.

Ubisoft had some big news for Clance fans of the Big Apple last week. Ryan is honestly still recovering, but FF VII didn’t help. Justin wants to play every version of Dead Cells ever. Plus, every single person is still golfing.

Some big studios are making changes which means some big franchises are gonna change. Ryan remembers his time with Anthem. Justin wants to schedule an esports and chill night with you. Plus, take down your holiday decorations.

Some big studios are making changes which means some big franchises are gonna change. Ryan remembers his time with Anthem. Justin wants to schedule an esports and chill night with you. Plus, take down your holiday decorations.

There’s no new Switch in 2020 so what exactly is going on with the Switch in 2020? Justin may refund WarCraft III. Ryan thinks Cloud looks great. Coop learns that Flash is dead. Plus, hockey matches over baseball matches over football matches.

There’s no new Switch in 2020 so what exactly is going on with the Switch in 2020? Justin may refund WarCraft III. Ryan thinks Cloud looks great. Coop learns that Flash is dead. Plus, hockey matches over baseball matches over football matches.

That Star War got us this year. All of us. It's genre-mashing pulled each of us in for different reasons, but we all stayed for the full adventure. No other game can say that this year. Star Wars welcomed the fan and the player that wanted a real challenge. No one felt cheated, no one succumbed to the grind. Everyone got a poncho, a pretty lightsaber, and a new best friend (if not more). Mastering the force has never felt so earned, and the payoff has never been so satisfying. It's fun to be excited about Star Wars video games.